Saturday, November 26, 2016

‘Be proud of your town because it is a big
part of who you are!’ said some wise
gentleman.

“Pride without knowledge is like a tree
without roots!” said somebody else, a
little wiser maybe.

Of late I have begun to follow their words
and I have started learning about Namma Bengaluru. What better way than to read
all the literature about the place we live in? While discussing our
common interests (read books!) a friend recommended me ‘Peter Colaco’s Bangalore: Century of Tales
from City & Cantonment’. I was on an eager search the same day.

“Your
search ‘Peter Colaco’s Bangalore: Century of Tales from City &
Cantonment" did not match any products. Try something like using more general terms or checking your spelling”said Amazon.

“Out of stock, it is in print Madam...”said Mr Maye Gowda of Blossoms Book House with his signature smile.

And then like all roads lead home, I sent this on our WhatsApp
group of Akruthi Books.

Pat came Guru’s reply, a dear friend and the owner of the bookstore. If there is something called as cloud
nine, it was this text for me at that moment. There is a reason why some book
stores become your favourite, it is because they are run by warm people who
make the place feel warmer than home. They make a way to your heart. They are
not about sales. They are not about discounts. They are not about author meets
and greets. They are not about book reading sessions. They prevail for something
beyond all that, for the higher purpose of reading.

I received the book by post today and cannot wait to read it.
Thank you Guru :-) I am Bangalored, of course for good.

Off I go on a nostalgic through Namma Bengaluru :-)

PS: For all those who love reading and who live in Bangalore,
do visit this bookstore at Rajajinagar, a quiet but bright basement very close
to Bashyam Circle. I bet you cannot stop loving this little den and getting some books!

Here are the details:

Whom to contact:Mr Guruprasad on 098866 94580 [Ask him about a book, he will review it in a line or two within a couple of minutes for you :-) !]

On Map:

-R.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

“Today is Kannada Rajyos…ttttava magale” Appa said, as always never getting it right. Any ‘Utsava’ is always an ‘Ustava’ for him and
I like making him say that. No matter how hard we try at home to correct his
pronunciation he does not get better. I find it cute, his tongue rolling
problems!

This was on our way back home this afternoon; a
caravan of auto rickshaws was passing by us. When it comes to auto drivers in
Bengaluru, there are two things one can always associate with them. Firstly
their immense love for the veteran actor and director Shankar Nag which in a
way defines the idea of fandom, secondly the de facto flag of our state Karnataka
which flutters on their autos with much passion and pride.

Come first of November and the entire city is painted
yellow and red, to add to the revelry we have the iconic song of our Annavru, Dr Raj Kumar which is nothing
less than an anthem. I know you are already humming it as you are reading this!
‘Huttidare
Kannada naadali huttabeku’ I must have heard it a dozen times today
and definitely have sung a line or two along. One cannot resist it I tell you.

So what makes these days, flags and songs so special.
Is it that we are overly patriotic about our State? A month ago or so we saw
the other end of the spectrum with the Cauvery water issue which is better not
discussed here. On Kannada Rajyotsava there is something beyond the usual flag
hoisting and march past that happen in government bodies in Karnataka. Celebrating
such days while we scoot away with our daily humdrum gives us a sense of
identity and belonging. This day is not just about the formation of the State
in 1956. It no longer is so simple, we are in a state of constant transition. I doubt if
we can call it great though. People of this city now seek collective refuge and
comfort. I was speaking to an auto driver outside my hospital today. Surprisingly
his auto looked a little sober for the day. I asked him where is the flag on
his auto. He replied

ABOUT THE CANARY

Flying through the seasons of life with me,myself and the world...A little of this and a little of that and all of everything!A Doctor by instinct,a Bookworm by desire...
I am what I was...I am what I can be:)